Knot-tier.



J. T. DALTON. KNOTTIER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1912.

1,125,666. Patented Jan.19,1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. T. DALTON. KNOT TIER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

10 SHEETSSHEET 2.

J. T. DALTON.

KNOT TIER.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

.1. T. DALTON. KNOT TIER.

' APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

y wimzrmn. 6 a flaw J. T. DALTON. KNOT TIER. APPLICATION FILED NOV.2G, 1912.

1,125,666. Patented Jan. 19, 1915 10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

J. T. DALTON.

KNOT TIE R. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. '19, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

E. 5 a: iiii iiw J. T. DALTON.

KNOT TIER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1912.

Patented Ian. 19, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

J. T. DALTON.

KNOT TIER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

10 SHEETSLSHEET 8.

J, T. DALTON.

KNOT TIER. APPLICATION FILED NOV 26, 1912 Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

T. DA'LTGN. KNOT TIER. APPLICATION FILED 150v. 26, 1912 Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

10 SHEETS-SHEET l0.

mam

UFFIGE.

JOHN T. DALTON, OF BALTIMOREIJLABYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO REQHAED H. "WRIGHT, 0E DURHAM, NQBTH CABOLENA.

1N Gil -TIER.

Application filed-November 2S, 1812.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN T. DALTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at tiinore city, in the State of Maryland, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Knot-Tiers, of which the following is a specification. I,

The present invention relates to improvements in knot tiers, and the primary object thereof to provide an improved apparatus or machine which is capable of operating rapidly, automatically and with certainty to tie the knots.

In the present embodiment of the invcntion, the apparatus is especially adapted to draw taut and to tie the strings such as used connnonly on tobacco bags, it being only necessary for the operator or atteinlant to position the bag before the devices which draw the strings taut and which form the knot, the operations being all performed by the apparatus automatically or 'vvithout as sistance from the attendant.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements, and coinhinations and arrangements ,ofparts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being, pointed ouhparticularly in the claims at the end of the specilitation.

present invention; Fig. 2 is a. side elevation of thesaineas viewedfrorn the left in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 represents a central vertical section on the line of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrow; Rigs. i410 represent transverse sections on the lines i 1, 54 c c, 7 7, 8-8, 9-9 me. 10 10 respectively of Fig. l; Fig. 11 is a .t' iil view. on an enlarged scale, of the coop ing devices which draw the strings taut form the knot; Fig. .1). represent on the line 12-12 oi'x ll sin. 15?, the knot-forming lingers in separated rehititmg Fig. 13 is a view similar .toFig. showing the lmot-ioriuing fingers after they have been brought together, thegrippers in this figure being shown closed; :Fig. 1% shows in detail the under side .of one of thc knot -i ii'iuiug lingers; Figs. 15: and 16 represent r-vrliuns on the lines 1F-15 and 16.-1.6 res1 ctlvely of Fig. 11; Fig. 17 is a View showiu;. in detail the elements composing ,oneof Specification of Letters ?atent.

Patented Jan. 15}, 1915.

Serial No. 733,713.

and gripper blade for one of the knot-forming tinge Fig. 21 is a detail perspective 7 view oli'the holder which receives and positions the bag while the strings thereof are being operated on; Fig. 22 is a sectional view of the bag holder showing in dotted and full lines respectively the open and closed positions of the door thereof; Fig. '23 i s'a diagrammatic view showing the relative positions of the parts at the commencement of operations, the grippers for the strings having moved into positions to receive the strings on the bag and the knot-forming lingers beginning to move into operative position; 2a is a detail sectional view of the lower end of one of the grippers indiaiting the manner in which t ie'same receives the corresponding string of the bag; Fig. 25 is a view similar to Fig. 23 and illustrating the next step in the operation, the grippers separating relatively to one another to draw the strings on the bag taut and thereby substantially close the bag and also begiiu ing to rotate, the knot-forming fingers having moved into operative position above the bag; Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 2; showing one of the strings gripped by its respective gripper; Fig. 27 shows a further stage in the rotation of the grippers at which pointthe looping of the strings over the knot-forming fingers is commenced Fig. 28 is a View showing the grippers and knot-forming fingers in elevation, the position of the parts corresponding to that shown in Fig. 27; Fig. 29 shows the grip pors after they have completed their rotary movement. the strings being completely looped over the lingers and their ends held hy the grippers; Fig. 30 is an elevation sho the parts in full lines in the same relative pusitii'in as shown in Fig. 29, and the dotted lines showing the next operation of the grippers which in adii'ection inwardly and downwardly to cause the ends of the strings to be. engaged by the gripping blades of the knot-forming lingers; Fig. 31 shows the parts at the moment the ends ,of the strings are released by the grippers, and the knot-formingfingers begin the operation llO of drawing the ends of the strings through the loops therein; Fig. 39- represents an eleration of the parts in the same relative position as shown in Fig. 91; Fig. shows diagrannnatically the operation of the fun gers to tighten the knot; Fig. 3i shows diagramnuitieally the last operation of releas ing the strings after the knot has been completely formed.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several. views.

linohtying a 'iparatus embodying the present invention capable of a variety of uses and it will be within the skill of those versed in the art to adapt the apparatus according to the different reipiirements or conditions. The invention is especially adapted to be used for the purpose of drawing taut and tying the strings as commonly used on tobacco bags, and a construction which is well adapted to perform these operations illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter described in detail. It is to be understood, however, that I have shown but one embodiment of the invention, and that equivalent constructions will be included within the scope of the claims at the end of the specification.

The apparatus shown in the present instance comprises a suitable frame 1 mounted on a base 2 and provided with guides 3 be tween which certain parts of the mechanism operate.

The frame is provided with bearings 4 and 5 which support a main drive shaft 6, the latter having a drum 7 fixed thereto which, in the present instance, is formed with a series of cam grooves 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. The drive shaft is adapted to rotate continuously and may be driven by a pulley or wheel 13 and a cooperating belt 14 or other suitable means. A set of tubular shafts or sleeves 15, 16, 17 and 18 arranged concentrically and in telescoped relation are provided, and a central shaft 19 also operates within the innermost sleeve or hollow shaft 15, these different shafts serving to operate the devices which perform the operations of drawing the strings taut and tying the same into a knot. These different shafts are capable of reciprocating axially, one

Within the other, and also the shafts 15 and 19 are capable of rotating within the other shafts to perform certain operations which will be hereinafter described. A set of crossheads 20, 21, 22, 23 and 21 are mounted to slide vertically or longitudinally between the guides, 3, these cross-heads being provided with rollers or projections 25, 26, 27, .28 and 29 respectively which cooperate with in the corresponding cam grooves 8, 9, 10, 1t and .12. The cross-head 20 cooperates with a collar 80 which is fixed to the shaft 19 in a manner which enables the crosshead to shift this shaft axially under the influence of the cam groove 8, although permitting rotation of the shaft 10.. The cross-head 21. cooperates with a collar 31 which is fixed to the tubular shaft or sleeve 15 whereby the cross-head 21. will reci n'oeate the shaft 15 axi: l ly under the influence of the cam groove 9, although the shaft 15 may rotate relatively to said UPOSS-lILlId. The crosshead cotiperates with a collar 32 which is lifted to the hollow shaft or sleeve 16 in such a manner that said cross head will shift the hollow shaft or sleeve 16 in an axial direction under the influence of the cam groove 10, although the shaft 16 may rotate rclatively to said cl-ossliead. The cross-heads 23 and 2t are connected to the hollow shafts or sleeves 1'7 and 18 respectively, and in the present instance they are so secured by clamps 33 and 31:. Preferably, springs 35 and 36 are interposed between the cross heads 21 and and their res 'iective collars 31. and 32 for the purpose of subjecting the strings to the proper degree of tension and to avoid undue tension that would be liable to break the strings during certain ol'ierations as will be hereinafter described.

The lower end. of the innermost shaft 19 supports a pair of grippers which operate to grip the strings, draw them taut, and to loop the strings over the knot-forming lin gers. In the present instance, these grippers embody a pair of arms 37 and which are pivotally mounted at their upper ends on the pivot pins or bolts 39 and 4-0, the arms operating between the forks 41 and 42 which project from opposite sides-of the shaft, and the inner portions of the arms are formed with gear segments 43 and 44. The lower end of the hollow shaft or sleeve 15 is formed with a pair of racks 45 and 46 which are guided to reciprocate between the forks 41 and 42 respectively on the shaft 19 and cooperate with the gear segments 43 and 44 of the respective gripper arms 37 and 38, relative axial movement between the shafts 15 and 19 causing the gripper arms 37 and 38 to swing inwardly or outwardly, as the case may be, and about their pivots as axes. Each grippe' arm is formed with a longitudinal slot 47 in which a blade or gripper member 48 may reciprocate, this blade havinu a. recessed hooleshaped jaw 44) adapted to receive one of the strings.

The lower corners of the arms 37 and 38 of the gripper members are preferably formed with cut-out portions 50 and 51 which, when the respective blades are lowered, will permit thestrings to enter the recesses or openings of the respective hookshaped jaws, and when the gripper l'iladcs or members are retracted will cooperate with the hooloshaped jaws to grip or clamp the respective strings. In the present instance, slides 52 and 53 are mounted to operate longitudinally on the respective gripper arms l3:

37 and 38, each slide being guided on the respective gripper arm by a rilofie: l i T operates with a groove on the rarm, and each gripper blade or provided with a lug 56 which engages slot 57 or" the respective slide and. ap may he used to fasten these parts i whereby relative reciprocat' ig between the slides and the respective "grip per arms will cause corresponding velneuts of the gripper blades to clamp release thestrings at the proper times,

in the present instance, the slides are operated by pairs of links 59 and 60 which are pivotally connected at 61 and 62 to the respective slides, and these links are also pivotally connected at 63 and 6%- to the lower end of the tubular shaft or sleeve From the foregoing description itwill understood that relative axial movement between the shafts 15 and 19 will cause the grippers to swing in a direction inwardly or outwardly. and relative axial movement between the shaft 153 and the shafts 15 and 19 will cause opening ullfl closing of the grippers. These thre shafts just mentioned are also capable of rotation in unison, and in the present instance, such rotary movement is imparted to the shafts by pinion 65 which is splincd to the shaft 19 by the key 66 which slides in a keywsy 6? formed in the hub of the pinion. The pinion 65 cooperates with gear wheel 68 which is fixed to the main drive shaft 6. During tic operation of the machine, the main (ll'lYn s. 6 revolves continuously while the shafts 15, 16 and 19 pause at certain periods i; their rotation. In order to provide for this, the pinion 65 and the gear 68 are preferably in the form or" a Geneva movement as shown more particularly in Fig. 5, the pinion 65 having two rests 69 and 70 which are suitably spaced circumferentially, while the gear 68 has two untoothed portions 71 and 72 which cooperate respectively with the rests 69 and '70 of the pinion. In order to minimize or relieve shock between the pinion 65 and gear 68 upon the con'imenceinent of each movement of the shaft 19 and at the moment the gear teeth on the gear 68 reach the rests 69 and 70 respectively of the pinion, a shock absorber may be used, that shown cmhmlying a gear 73 which is loosely mounted on the hub of the pi; id is supported by a bearing T4, the go; a oopcrating with a gear 7:": which fixed to the main drive shaft 6, and a coil spring 76 which is housed. in the gear '73 has its ends attached respectively to the gear 73 and to the hub of the pinion 65, the gears 7' and 73 revolving continuously, and during the pauses in the rotation of the pinion 65 the spring 76 will be tensioned and the tension on this spring will tend to rotate the pinion 65 and hence the spring will serve to resume s i are moped, and also as grippers to dry, the ends or the strings through the 1 i 81 cops and thus tie the lmot. These knotaxing lingers in the present instance are attached to a pair of arms '79 and 80, these arms being pivoted at 81 and 82 to a bracket 83 fixed to the frame 1 whereby said arms may swing to and from an operative position over the bag. Theinner or adjacent ends of the knotiorming fingers are provided with slots or openings 8% and 85 and which extend diagonally, and. when the fingers occupy an operative position above the bag these slots are substantially in alinement, as shown in Fig. Gripping blades 86 and 87 are slid- :ihly mounted in the respective fingers and are provided with jaws 88 and 89 which are adapted to receive the strings when the gripping blades are in one position and to clamp or grip the strings when such blades are moved into operative position, the strings being then gripped between the aws on the blades and the walls of the slots 8% and S5. iiiii'erent ma" he provided for reciprocating the gripping blades at appropriate intervals, the arms 79 and 80 in the present instance being slotted and containing levers 90 l nd 91 which are pivoted-to said arms at 9:2 and 93, the lower portions of the levers operating in. openings 94: and 95 of the respective gripper blades, and the upper portions of the levers are formed with cam slots Qiiand 9?. The upper portions of the a-rms'79 and 80 also formed with rectilinear slots 98 and 99, and pins 100 and 101 are arranged to reciprocate in each pair of slots, the shape of the cam slots causing rocking movements of the levers 90 and 91 and such movements of the levers causing reciprocation of the respective gripper blades into positions to grip and release the strings. Reciprocation of the pins 100 and 101 to ofiect the purposes described is caused in the present instance by a pair of links 102 i and. 103 which are ivotally connected at 10f and 105 to the outermost tubular shaft 1H, reciprocation oi said shaft being produced by the crossdicad H- uudcr the influence of the cam groove 1:). 'lhe hollow shaft 17 carries a head 106 which is formed with slots 107 and 109, and arms 109 and 11owhich cooperate with thearms 79 and H0 respectively and are formed with slots 111 and 112, bolts 113 and 11 extending through the respective pairs of slots and forming an operative connection between the shaft 17 and the arms 109 and 110, and axial reciprocation of the shaft 17 under the influence of the cam groove 11 will serve to swing the arms 9 and 80 to and from operative position about the pivots 81 and 82 as axes. The extent of movement of the arms 79 and 80 can be readily varied by adjusting the bolts 113 and 114i relatively to the pivots 81 and 82.

In the present nstance, the base of the machine is provided with a holder 115 for the bags, this holder conforming substantially to the size and shape oi. the bags to be handled and preferably having a hinged door or side 116 whereby the bags may be readily inserted and removed. In. order to retain the door in closed position and also to properly retain the bag in the holder, a spring 117 may be used which cooperates with a projection 118 located adjacent to the pivot 119 of the door. The two ends of the bag holder may also be provided with forks 120 and 121. to support the out-stretched strings of the bag until. such strings are re ceived by the grippers.

The machine shown and described in the present embodiment of the invention is particularly adapted to tie the strings used. commonly on tobacco bags, the bag a being provided at the mouth with two strings 7) and which are in the form of loops and portions of these strings project from tip posite sides of the bag, pulling upon these strings operating in the well known way to contract and close the ba In shipping bags of tobacco of this kind, the strings are tied into knots to retain the bags in closed condition.

The operation of the machine shown in the present instance may be briefly described as follows:--In Figs. 1, 2 and S, the parts are shown in the positions they occupy normally, that is to say, before the commence-- ment of the operations. The bag with its contents therein is placed in the holder 11? with the mouth of the bag open and the ends of the strings I) and 0 extended outwardly. and over the supports 120 and 121.

Assuming that rotary movement is imparted to the main drive shaft (5, and the pulley or wheel 13, the first step involves a partial rotation of the shafts 15, 16 and 19 which carry the grippersand their operating de-- vices, these grippers in the present instance rotating from the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and in the full lines in Fig. 11, to the dotted line position shown in Fig. ll. there then being a pause in the rotation of the grippers. 'lhis rotation of the grippers is cfl'ected by the interrupted gear 68, the pinion or; being turned from a position where the rest (39 cooperates with the nntoothed portion 71 oi the gear (28 to a posi tion where the rest TU ol the pinion coperates with the untoothed portion 72 oi the gear es. \Vhen the gripper-shave been rotated as described, they are in positions to receive the respective strings in the hook-- shaped jaws thereof, and during the pause in the rotation of the grippers the cam operates to draw up the tubular shaft 16 and thereby close the grippers upon the strings, and at the same time the cam 11 operates to raise the tubular shaft 1.7 and thereby move the knot-forming lingers T7 and 78 from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and dia grannnatically in Fig. to an operative position above the bag. as shown diagrammatically in Fig 9.5. The "rippers then resume their rotary motion through the engagement of the toothed portions 01 the pinion 5 and gear (18, and concurrently with the rotary motion of the grip 'icrs, these grippers are swungoutwardly or in a direction away from one another to draw the strings on the bag taut and the grippers also rise bodily in order to loop the strings over the knot forming fingers. The outward or separating l'llOVGlTlt-Blll] ol' the grippers is accom plished by a. relative a Xia l movement between the hollow shaft 15 and the innermost shaft 19 under the influence of the respective cam grooves and ll, while the upward movement of the grip iiers is accinnplished by :1 raising oi the shafts 15, 16 and 19 owing to the contours of the cam grooves 8, 9 and 10, the grippers then traveling in a path which will clear or pass above the knot-forming lin- 77 and 78, and as these grippers rotate in the manner indicatedin Figs. 27 and 28, the strings will be not only drawn taut to close the mouth of the bag, but the strings will be looped over the knot-forming fin gers T7 and 78. Fig. 2% shows the grippers in elevated position so as to pass above the knot-forming lingers. Continued rotation ol? the grippers returns them to their initial or starting position, as shown in Fig. 2%), rotation. oi the fingers being then interrupled by reason of the engagement of the rest (it). of the pinion ($5 with the nntoothed portion 71 of the gear 68, and when the grippers have reached this position, the two strings have been completely looped over the lmot-i'orming lingers 7? and 78, as shown in Fig. 29, and the ends of the strings are crossed. The grippers then move in a direction downwardly and inwardly or toward one another as indicated diagrammatically in Fig; 30, this movement of the grippers being effected by relative axial moven'lent between the shafts l9 and 15 owing to the contours of the respective oamgrooves 8 and This downwanl and inward movement oi the grippers carries the ends of the strings I and 0 into the slots 8i and S5 of the respective l not-forniing lingers 77 and 78, whereupon the shaft 18 moves upwardlv relatively to the shaft 17, and the lovers 90 and 91. are rocked in a direction to cause the gripper blades 86 and 87' in these fingers to grip the respective strings, and at the same timethe knot-forming fingers 77 and 18 are retracted or moved apart, as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 31 and 32,.the grippers being simultaneously opened, as shown in these figures, to release the strings. Asthe knotforminglingers 7 7 and 78 move outwardly or away from one another, tney pull the ends: of the strings engaged thereby through those portions of the strings which will loop over the inlet-forming lingers, thereby tying the strings into a slip knot. the tension produced on the ends of the strings serving to tightly close the mouth oi the bag. whereupon the gripper blades 8 and 8'? are shifted inwardly or in the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 34-, ther l releasing: the strings. The ends of the strings and a will be in the form of short loops and a, and the knot can be readily untied by pullingupon these ends.

I claim my invention l. A knot tier embodying, a loop-forming member, means rotatable about said member to loop a string thereon, and means ooliperative with said member to draw a portion of the string through the loop and to tighten the same when said member is withdrawn therefrom.

2. A. knot tier enil'niidying a finger, a. gripper movable about said finger to loop a string over said linger, and means cooper: ativo with so id finger to draw a portion of the string through the loop and to tighten the loop. 1 i

3. A knot tier embodying a loop-forming member, means rotatable about said member to loop a string thereover, and a device carried by said member for gripping a portion ol the strinp" and drawing-the same through the loop when saidmeinber is withdrawn from the loop;

A .lnot tier embodying a reciprocatory loop -lorrning member, a gripper rotatable about the same and operative to loop a strii r about said member, and means reriprocab with said inonilaar to drill-w a portion oi the ing thrmigh said loop simultaneously with the withdrawal oi said member from the loop.

5. A knot tier eE nbodying cooperative grippers, one rotatable to loop a string about the other and to engage the end oi the string therewith. and the other gripper operative lo draw the engaged portion of the string through the loop.

(3. A knot tier embodying cooperative rotary and reeiproratory grippers, the rotary in pprr being ()}I* l'%li l\'( about thirceiprocater gripper lo loop a Sl-i'll'lf thereon and to engage an cud of the string: therewith, and tho reelprooatory gripper.operating to \\'lill l 'i \f from the loop and to pull the enpgag d portion f the string tbrrethrough 'i. 1 knot tier embodying oppositely movable ioooforxnmg members, means in vahle relatively to said members for looping string ends about both members, and means cooperative with said members to grip and pull. said string ends through the loop upon withdrawal of said members therefrom.

A knot tier embodying tr pair of oppositely reciprocatory grippers, and a pair of grippers rotatable bodily about the reeiproeatory grippers to loop string ends thereof and also operative to engage the string ends with the reciprocatory grippers.

9. A. knot tier embodying a pair of op positely movable loop-forming fingers, means tor looping string ends thereover, and means c jiiiiperative with said fingers for pulling the string; ends through the loop during withdrawal of the fingers therefrom 10. A knot tier embodying a pair of cooperative lingers adapted to be arranged in lapping relation and having grippers ar ranged at the remote sides thereof, means for looping string ends about said fingers and engaging the same with the respective grippers, and means ior withdrawing the fingers 'l'roni the loop and for drawing the 'rippwl portions of the string ends through me loop.

ll. Ii li'not tier on'ihodying a pair of rc ciproeatory grippers movable into lapping relation. and a pair of grippers rotatable bodily about the reriprocawry grippers to loop string ends theroover and to engage portions of the string ends with the reciprocatory grippers.

device for tying strings embodying h in a pair of grippers. a pair of loop-forming members. means for operating the gri 'ipers to draw the strings taut, u1eans for operating the grig'ipers to loop the strings about. said members. means for withdrawing said lllLlllhers from the loop by retracting movements of said members in reverse \l 'rl-ious, and nnrans "for pulling the. strings through tho loo. tighten the sane,

1h mmratns tor tying the draw strings of articles embodying loop-loruiiiu nu- ,gripping means operative to tighten said strings and rotatable around the loop-torming m ans to loop the same about said loop touting m ans, and derives: opium-di e to pull the Si'l'lli; --llll'(rl1l1 the loop upon with- (lrawal ol' the loop-forming n oaus lllo 'r from.

H. Apparatus for tying strings einbodv lug looplorniing means. grippers operative to engage and draw the minu hint and also operative to loop the strings about llnloopl wlfllllllfl means. and grippers cooperative with the loop-twining moans and op rative during wiilulrawal of the latter lrom the loop to tight-en the loop.

in. rq'iparatns tor tying strings em odying? a member movable to and from operative 'iosition, grippers operative to engage strings and draw them taut and llllOir rotatable about said member to loop the strings about said member, and means for tightening the loop to form a knot.

16. Apparatus for tying strings embodying a member movable to and from operative position, a pair of grippers to engage the strings, said grippers being movable a way from one another to draw the strings taut and rotatable to loop the strings about said member, means for. Withdrawing said member from the loop, and means for tightening the loop to form a knot.

17. Apparatus for tying strings embody ing a pair of oppositely movable members earr v'ing gripping means and adapted to as some an operative position, a pair of grippers movable into a position to engage the strings and relatively separable to draw such strings taut, such grippers being also rotatable to loop the strings about said mom hers and simultaneously movable into a position to clear said members and subse onentlv movable into a position to engage the strings with the gripping means of said members. and means for withdrawing said members from the loop to tighten the same.

18. The combination of means for positioning the draw-strings-i of an article so as to project in opposite directions therefrom. loop-forming means movable to and from a position above the article, a pair of grip pers operative to engage the respective strings to draw them taut and to loop them about said loop-forming means. and means for separating the grippers for tightening said loop to form a knot.

19. The combination of mean for posi t oning the drmwstrings of an article so as to project in opposite directions therefrmn. loop-forn'iing means movable to and from a position adjacent to the article. a rotataliilo lne iiber c: "rving a pair of pivoted arms emhodving grippers. means for operating the grippers to grip and release the strings. means: for rel; 'ivelv separating the arms to drav. the strings taut. and nieans for rotatins. the arms to loop the strings engaged ther by abont the loo orming means. and means for pulling the str ngs through the loop and th re y tightening the latter to form a knot.

90. The combine. ion of means for positioning [he draw-strings of an article so as to project tin sefrom. a pair of arms having lorm-forniing fingers and (arrving gripping means. means for moving said fingers into adjacent relation to the article. and for retracting them. and means operative to loop the strings about said fingers .vhile in adjacent relation to the article and to engage the strin s with said gripping means. the latter pulling the strings through the loop and tightening the latter during retraction of said fingers.

21. The combination of means for positioning the draw-strings of an article so as to project therefrom, a pair of oppositely movable arms carrying loop-forming fingers adapted to assume positions in lapped relation adjacent to the article, gripping means carried by said fingers, means for looping the strings about said lapped fingers and for engaging the strings with said gripping means, means for operating said gripping means to engage the strings, and means for withdrawing the fingers from the loop.

The combination of means for positioning the draiv-strings of an article so as to projeet tl'IQIQfIOID, loop-forming means, and a pair of grippers having means for vieldinglv moving them apart to draw said 'strine's taut and operative to loop said strin s about the loop-forming member.

2 The combination of means for positioning the strings of an article so as to project therefrom, loop-forming means, and grippers having means for operating them vieldinglv to grip the strings, and means for rotating the grippers about the loopforn|- ing means to loop the strings about the loopforming means.

.2 Apparatus for tying the strings of articles embodying. in combination, a set of shafts relatively ITIOVIll'llQ axially. and certain of said shafts being also revolable, a pair of loop-f(n'ming fingers movable to and from operative position above the article. means operative by one of said shafts for effecting such n'iovements, gripping devices earried by said fingers and olierativc by another of said shafts, a pair of grippers turnable with said revoluble shafts and 1novable bodilv toward and from the article and also movable toward and from one another by relative axial movement between such revolnble shafts. and I'neans for intermittently rotating the revolubl': shaft/and rela' tivelv moving the shafts ariallv.

21". A pparatus of the rhararter dr rz-ibed mbodving a grip 'ier. a rotata le gripper operating shaft. :1 continnous l revolving drive shaft having means for intermitientlv rotating the gripper operating shaft. and a sl elf :bsorbor for relieving shock inrident to the starting of the gripper shaft after each inim'rnption thereof.

ln ie-tinionv whereof I have hereunto set mv hand in pres-mire of two subscribing \vitll(:

JOHN T. DALTON.

lVitncsses:

.Tomv (hr-\r'rox DAM-21v an, llrnvav W. GRAMLY. 

